Kentucky vs Texas

Side-by-side cost of living, income, housing and population. Calculator, charts and shareable results — official Census data.

Population, income, rent, home value and age for 2026. Shareable URL updates automatically.

Keep Your Standard — How Much There?

If you earn — in State A, what do you need in State B?

Need in State B
—
Difference
—
Verdict
—
Best Value — Most Affordable States
MS
Mississippi
~$52k income, $748 rent
Cheapest
WV
West Virginia
~$57k, $658 rent
Cheapest
AR
Arkansas
~$58k, $765 rent
Cheapest
AL
Alabama
~$62k, $846 rent
Cheapest

Lowest median home & rent, adjusted for income.

Population
Income & Housing
MetricKentuckyTexasDifference (A−B)
Population
All residents
 4,510,725 29,640,343 HIGHER 25,129,618 (-84.8%)
Higher: Texas
Median Income
Household
 $62,417 $76,292 HIGHER $13,875 (-18.2%)
Higher: Texas
Median Rent
Gross rent
 $933 $1,339 HIGHER $406 (-30.3%)
Higher: Texas
Median Home Value
Owner-occupied
 $192,300 $260,400 HIGHER $68,100 (-26.2%)
Higher: Texas
Median Age
Years
 39.1 HIGHER 35.5 +4 (+10.1%)
Higher: Kentucky
Living in Kentucky: bourbon, autos and bluegrass value

Kentucky blends bourbon and spirits, auto manufacturing, logistics around Louisville and healthcare in Lexington and Louisville. The economy is steadier than its reputation suggests, with costs to match.

Home prices rank among the lowest east of the Mississippi, and rents in most metros stay reasonable. Incomes trail the national average, which keeps the affordability edge balanced. Kentucky works for buyers and for workers in its core industries; high-flyers may need Louisville, Lexington or remote work.

Full Kentucky profile →
Living in Texas: scale, jobs and no income tax

Texas operates at continental scale: energy in Houston, tech in Austin, finance in Dallas, logistics everywhere, plus military, healthcare and manufacturing. Job creation has led the nation for years and there is no state income tax.

The affordability edge has narrowed as Austin, Dallas and Houston housing climbed, though suburbs still beat coastal equivalents. Property taxes are steep and summer cooling bills real. Texas rewards strivers across industries — provided they price the property tax line before falling for the house prices.

Full Texas profile →
Verdict: Kentucky vs Texas
  • Texas earns more (median $76,292 vs $62,417).
  • Kentucky rents cheaper (median $933 vs $1,339).
  • Kentucky buys cheaper (median home $192,300 vs $260,400).
  • Kentucky takes it 2-1 across income, rent and home prices.
  • The widest gap is Median rent: Texas at $1,339 vs Kentucky at $933.
View Kentucky → View Texas →

Frequently asked questions

What data does this page show?

Compare cost of living, salaries, housing, rent, taxes and population between Kentucky and Texas. Calculator, charts and side-by-side table — official Census data.

Kentucky or Texas — which is cheaper?

Compare housing, rent, taxes and pay row by row in the table above.

What matters most when moving?

Housing cost first, then take-home pay after taxes, then rent and daily costs.

How current are the figures?

All figures reflect 2026 and update automatically from official sources.

Where do the numbers come from?

All figures are compiled from official U.S. government public data and refreshed automatically. LifeIndexData is 100% free to use and fully independent: we are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or compensated by any bank, lender or financial institution, and advertising never influences our data or rankings.

How do I cite this page?

LifeIndexData. "Kentucky vs Texas — Cost of Living Comparison (2026)" (2026). https://lifeindexdata.com/usa/compare/kentucky/texas/

Is this financial advice?

No. All data is informational only — see our Disclaimer before making decisions.